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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA
Published on: February 9, 2011
A Study of Community-Acquired Pyodermas with Special Reference to Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL)-Positive
Prashanth R Kamath1, Niha F Imthiaz2, Ashmiya A Razak2
1Department of Dermatology, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences College, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
Background:
Community-acquired (CA) pyodermas are one of the most common infections encountered in the dermatology outpatient clinics. A significant number of these conditions are caused by Staphylococcus aureus. CA-methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and CA-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have specific virulence genes which are associated with these diseases, particularly the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes. The presence of the PVL gene as a virulence factor may be associated with recurrent and severe skin infections.
Materials And Methods:
A prospective study was conducted with 205 cases of CA pyodermas, of which five were discarded due to mixed isolates. Clinical details were taken and wound exudate was sent for bacteriological examination. Further, the molecular study was performed on all MRSA (7) isolates and 13 randomly selected MSSA isolates using polymerase chain reaction for mecA and PVL genes.
Results:
Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism (90%) isolated from primary or secondary CA pyodermas. The prevalence of CA-MRSA among all pyodermas was 3.5% in our community. The PVL gene was not detected in all tested CA-MRSA and CA-MSSA isolates.
Conclusion:
While pyodermas are common, the prevalence of MRSA is low in the CA pyodermas in our region. PVL does not appear to be a virulence factor among the isolated MRSA. Larger, multicentric, and periodic studies are, however, required to further justify these claims.
Insights
Community-acquired pyodermas are common skin infections. This study found a low prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and did not detect the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene in MRSA isolates.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Community-acquired (CA) pyodermas are frequent outpatient dermatology infections.
- Staphylococcus aureus is a common causative agent, including CA-methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and CA-methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA).
- The Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) gene is a virulence factor potentially linked to severe and recurrent skin infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of CA-MRSA in pyodermas.
- To determine the presence of PVL genes in CA-MRSA and CA-MSSA isolates.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 205 CA pyoderma cases.
- Bacteriological examination of wound exudate.
- Molecular analysis (PCR) for mecA and PVL genes in MRSA and MSSA isolates.
Main Results:
- Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 90% of CA pyodermas.
- The prevalence of CA-MRSA was 3.5% in the studied community.
- The PVL gene was not detected in any of the tested CA-MRSA or CA-MSSA isolates.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of MRSA in CA pyodermas in this region is low.
- PVL does not appear to be a significant virulence factor in the isolated MRSA strains.
- Further multicentric studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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